Greenwood Plumbing & Heating

Servicing Rhode Island and Southern MA
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Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal System

Your garbage disposal can be the workhorse of your kitchen.  These machines are primarily used to shred food waste into super small pieces that won’t clog pipes. It’s smart to run your disposal regularly and to keep it clean.  As handy as garbage disposals can be, they require maintenance to ensure their efficiency.

Of course, preventing clogs and problems is always simpler than troubleshooting them once they pop up.  Here are some steps you can take to avoid garbage disposal issues:

Know what not to grind up – starchy and stringy substances like potato and banana peels create a paste that will surely clog up your disposal system.  Eggshells and glass are also big ‘no’s’ when it comes to your garbage disposal.

Run cold water – a medium flow of cold water before, during, and for 15 seconds after using your system will help flush the drain line

Use ice – crush some ice cubes in your system occasionally to help clean the inside of the grinding area.  Use caution when doing this!

Snaking– Consider having your kitchen drain line snaked around every 2 years as preventative maintenance

Avoid grease and fat – never put grease or fatty items down the disposal as these will quickly cause clogs

Don’t overwhelm the system – feed your garbage disposal only manageable chunks at a time

Avoid harsh cleaning substances – Don’t use cleaning products that are too harsh for your garbage disposal. You can make your own cleaning solution with water and a mild detergent. There are also cleaning products made specifically for garbage disposals, these work well.

Know when to call a professional! Our Greenwood professional team fixes jams, clogs, and leaks to fully-repair your garbage disposal. Garbage disposal blades begin to lose their edge after 10 years, causing food to be improperly ground up. We will help you determine whether your disposal needs a simple repair or a full replacement.

Give us a call – we are available 24/7 for your heating and plumbing emergencies 401-738-9245